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Denver Fire crews rescue people stranded along flooded Cherry Creek path

4 water rescues Tuesday night
Posted at 7:21 AM, Jun 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-29 14:53:38-04

A fierce summer storm moved through Denver Tuesday night sending rescue crews scrambling to help those stranded in its path.

"When the water's moving like this, it's very, very fierce.  It can twist you, it can turn you.  It's very unforgiving," said C.J. Haberkorn, shift commander at the Denver Fire Department.

Haberkorn said they rescued at least four people trapped by raging waters on various sections of the Cherry Creek Bike Path.  Denver7 crews were there as rescuers rushed to help a man stuck on a cement box beneath the Lawrence Street bridge. Crews first tried to swing him a life jacket from a rope, but after several unsuccessful attempts, two members of the water rescue team went in after him.

"We sent our swimmers in right there over at the edge of the park.  They walked over to him, put a life jacket on him and walked him out.  Everybody's safe," Haberkorn said.

The man was put in the back of an ambulance and checked out by paramedics, but will be OK.

"Best recommendation for people to stay safe, is to stay away from it.  When you see the water rising on the sidewalk, that's not a good thing," said Haberkorn.

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